CBS Sports released two mock drafts this week, one by Mike Renner and another by Chris Trapasso. While the contributors have the San Francisco 49ers selecting different players, their shared focus is on preparing for life after veteran left tackle Trent Williams.
Williams, who will be 37 at the start of next season, has previously expressed his desire to continue playing. However, injuries this season have cast doubt on his future. Williams will miss his fourth consecutive game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Based on current NFL standings, both mock drafts project the 49ers to pick 17th overall. Renner predicts San Francisco will select Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery (6-6, 330) in the first round.
"The 49ers offensive line is dangerously thin," Renner explained. "We've seen that when Trent Williams has been forced to miss time this year. Aireontae Ersery could very well be the left tackle in waiting for the 49ers going forward as he's shown improvement in all three years as a starter."
This season, Ersery earned a career-high 80.0 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing just 13 pressures and one sack across 419 pass-blocking snaps. His 75.2 run-blocking grade shows room for development, but he recorded an impressive 86.2 grade in that category last season.
Trapasso, on the other hand, sees the 49ers drafting Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons (6-5, 310) in the first round.
"Simmons has significant upside because of his size and athletic traits," Trapasso explained. "He'd be a sensible heir apparent to Trent Williams in San Francisco."
Simmons posted an impressive 85.5 pass-blocking grade this season for the Buckeyes in his shortened 2024 campaign. He suffered a knee injury in late October, limiting him to 306 snaps, 158 of which were in pass protection. During that time, Simmons allowed only two pressures and no sacks. His 75.5 offensive grade this season was a career-high.
Simmons is expected to be fully healthy by the start of training camp. If Williams decides to continue playing, the 49ers could gradually integrate Simmons into the lineup, allowing him to develop and recover fully.
Both draft scenarios highlight the 49ers' need to address their offensive line depth and secure a long-term replacement for one of the NFL's all-time best tackles.